Apparatus for treating petroleum



O. J. NELSON APPARATUS FOR TREATING'PETROLEUM Filed Dec. 28, 1929 5Sheets-Sheet 1 L/vE/e d. /VELsa/v, @51,9 f /y l m.

March 5, 1935. l

March 5, 1935. o, J. NELSON 1,993,017

APPARATUSVOR TREATINGl PETROLEUM March 5, 1935. o. J. NELSON APPARATUSFOR TREATING PETROLEUM Patented Mar. 5, 1935 1,993,017 4 APPARATUS `FoaTREATTNG PETROLEUMy Oliver J. Nelson, Fort Scott, Kans.,"assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Oilco Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporationof Delaware Applicata@ December 2s, 1929, serial No. 417,094

claims. (c1. 19e- 118) This invention relates Vto the treatment ofpctroleumand more particularly heavy asphaltic crudes, Such crudesfrequently contain large percentages of asphalt, sulphur,watereemulsilied 5 therewith, salts and so forth. Some crudes are socontaminated as to render them impractical or difficult for transportinpipe lines, Vand impractical in some cases for normal refinery use.When it is attempted to .crack heavy asphaltic crudes in accordance withthe ordinary methods, such practice is found to .be uneconomical andfrequently impossible, more particularly on account of the asphalt andsulphur contents. As to some of its features, however, this inventionisapplicable to the treatment of crudes generally, containing sulphuror'water emulsifiedtherewith, or even petroleum containing none of`those objectionable impurities. Y

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to develop andprovide a process of treating asphaltic crudes in a simple and effectivemanner, so ,as to crack this crude into hydrocarbon vapors and coke andto condense these vapors to form a synthetic crude capable of Anot onlybeing readily handled in pipe lines, but also of employment in standardrefinery practice.

Another object is to develop and provide a process of treating petroleumcontaining sulphur or sulphur compounds and more particularly asphalticcrudes, whereby the sulphur or sulphur compounds will be eliminated in asimple and effective manner.

Another object is to develop and provide a process of treating petroleumemulsied with water and more particularly asphaltic crudes, whereby theemulsion will be broken in a simple and effective manner.

Another object is to develop and'provide a process of treating asphalticcrudes, whereby the same are not only transformed into lighter gravityproducts, but whereby'l thelatter are distilled, fractionated andcondensed in a simple and effective manner.

Another object is to develop and provide a'process whereby the heavyhydrocarbons are not onlyV transformed into lighter hydrocarbons, butwhereby the latter are distilled, fractionated and condensed in a simpleand effective manner. K

Another object. is to develop and kprovide a process whereby such crudesare not only completely cracked into hydrocarbon vapor and carbon, butwhereby both of the constituents are recovered in a simple and effectivemanner.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for carryingout-theprocess embodying this invention andin order to attain theobjects .as heretofore enumerated.

In order to attain the objectsof this inventionv and particularly inorder toV secure a synthetic crude, in accordance withone embodiment ofthis invention, the crude is injected into the bottom of a column offused material .of a height and ,maintained at a temperature sufficientto vaporize as much of the crudeas possible the vapors. are thencondensed to form a synthetic crude while the coke floating on Ythecolumn is gathered and reclaimed. The Zone above' the fused material is,however, preferably maintained at a temperature which is non-,condensingwith reference to the vapors. v'Such a synthetic crude will be suitableforpipe linev transportation or distillation in the usual refinerypractice and will be free from asphalt aswell ais other Vobjectionableimpurities interfering with or hindering its economical transportation`and distillation. It isobvious that a syntheticV 'crude for such useshould be in as near as possible the same state as the originalpetroleum, and,V accordingly, when the process of this invention isemployed for producing a synthetic crude, it is .apparent that thetemperature and pressure conditions should be so regulatedthat,'although all the impurities are removed, the minimum crackingshould take place.

Another feature of this invention resides in the fact that a petroleumcontaining sulphur or impurities, and particularly as found in anasphaltic crude, is yinjected into the bottom of, a

fused sulphur absorbing or reactive material, so

that the sulphur or sulphurcompounds will be separated or absorbed whilethe petroleum vapors issuing from Ythe column are conducted away `andreclaimed. The absorbing or reactive material can then be revivied byinjecting an oxidizing.

gas,'such as air, into the column.y In practice the material is reviviedat intervals by passing air through the column, at which time theinjection of the petroleum is stopped. In this opera-` tion, anysulphide formed will be converted intov 3.0 sulphur compounds,eitheralone or withother r which may be present in an asphaltic crude,is injected into the bottom of a column of fused material of a heightand at a temperature sufficient to break the emulsion. The petroleum andwater vapors issuing from the column may then be separated to reclaimthe'petroleum. When the petroleum is roily, the passage through thefused material will not only break up the emulsion and vaporize thewater, as well as the petroleum, but any salt or other solid impuritywill oat on top of the column and can be removed. i

Where the space above the fused material or the walls thereof areallowed to cool Venough-to cause condensation and falling back ofcondensed Y vapors, these` vapors, mixing with the carbon floating onthe column, may cause the formation of an undesirable and unmanageablepitchy conglomerate. One of the features of this inventions, therefore,resides in the fact that the zone above the fused material is maintainedat a temperature which is noncondensing with reference to the vapors inthat zone. This is accomplished in accordance with one embodiment ofthis invention by insulating the walls of the retort or dome so as tomaintain the same at a temperature suicient to prevent condensation ofthe vapors thereof. l

The employment of a column of fused material into which the petroleum isinjected has met with diniculties. the conditions arising in thetreatment of a product like petroleum, and more particularly anas'phaltic crude and particularly one containing sulphur compoundsemulsied with water, have not been understood and theseconditions havenot been properly met. Petroleum generally, and a heavy asphaltic crudein particular, is not only a complex but variable product. Accordingly,when such a product is injected into and allowed to travel through acolumn of highly heated and fused material, the result will beunsatisfactory unless the conditions are proper; Severe agitation andbumping of the material are liable to take place unless the injection isso slow as to affect the efficiency and economical operation of theprocess. y

Where petroleum is injected by a pipe passing downwardly through acolumn of fused material to the bottom thereof, carbon will deposit inthe pipe as well as on the outside surface thereof. This is partly dueto the fact that the petroleum in the pipe is subject to the heat of thebath while the oil issuing from the bottom of this pipe will tend tocrawl alongV the outside thereof, resulting'in carbon deposit thereinand thereon. One of the features of this invention, therefore, residesin the fact that the petroleum is injected into the bottom of a fusedcolumn; but by properly proportioning the quantity injected withreference to the volume and height of the column and the temperaturethereof, this petroleum is completely cracked into hydrocarbon vaporsand carbon. The hydrocarbon vapors issuing from the bath are conductedolf and reclaimed, while the carbon floating on the column iscontinuously collected and conveyed away.

Another feature of this invention resides in the fact that the petroleumis conducted externally of the column of fused material and injectedlinto the bottom thereof. This is accomplished in accordance with oneembodiment of this invention by a petroleum conduit or pipe external ofand leading to the bottom of the column and `preferably rising frombelow into the bottom ofthe column. The petroleum is This is for thereason that forced through this conduit or pipe and into the column, andmeans is provided adapted upon a predetermined pressure in the conduitto inject the petroleum into the column. A valve is placed in theconduit and preferably within the column; this valve is normally closedbut upon the pressure reaching a predetermined value the petroleum isforced through the conduit past and to open the valve. By. this meansthere will be no long length of pipe exposed to the heat of the fusedbath, so that deposit of carbon within this pipe is obviated.

Another feature of this invention resides in the fact that the vaporsresulting from the passage of the petroleum through the column of fusedmaterialare passed in contact with the petroleum thereafter injectedinto the column; in such case the remaining vapors are condensed. Theresulting vapors may be passed in contact with waterv or steam and alsowith petroleum to form the stock which is thereafter injected into thecolumn.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the vapors issuingfrom the bath are conducted to a tower where they may be passed incontact with petroleum and/or with water or steam, which, as heretoforedescribed, may thereafter be injected into the column of fused material.The vapors leaving the tower may be condensed to form the syntheticcrude as heretofore described. However, these vapors may be fractionedinto various cuts as desired. In such a case the low boiling pointvapors leaving the tower are so controlled as to give the desired endpoint, and upon leaving the tower these vapors may be conveyed to heatexchangers and-condensers, where they are condensed. Suitablearrangements may be made so that, if desired, the heavier hydrocarbons,which are condensed in the towers, may be withdrawn and reuxed with therawY charging stock.

Where the raw'petroleum contains water, it is found that the crackingwill be performed efciently inthe still; where, however, the crude doesYnot contain any or sufficient water, the latter can be furnished byinjecting water with the charging stock.'-

The resultant products may be Varied to suit requirements. Where onlyasynthetic crude is desired for pipe line disposal or futureredistillation, then no fractioning need take place; the resultantproducts may in such a case be collected in the form of a syntheticcrude. This crude will be suitable for pipe line transportation orredistillation in the usual refinery practice and will be free fromasphalt, sulphur, emulsions and other impurities.

In accordance with this invention, the system need not be underpressure, but can operate at practically atmospheric pressure. It may,however, if so desired, be operated at pressures either greater or`lower than atmospheric. This is possible due to the fact that thenecessary temperature for the necessary duration is attained by thecolumn of fused material and by the passage of petroleum therethrough inthe manner as previously described. It will be understood that bysuitable arrangement of relief valves and vacuum pumps, any desiredpressure, either above or below atmospheric, may be maintained on anypart of or on the entire system. Y

Further objects and features will appear from the detail descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis an elevation showing the still or retort in section and showing thereclaiming and condensing apparatusin diagrammatic form, capable ofcarrying out the process embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2,Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail section of one of the fused material loops or legsand showing also theinlet valve and its controlling mechanism; and

Figure 4 Yis a detail, somewhat inV diagrammatic form, showing the cokegathering mechanism. c

lteferring` to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a furnace of anysuitable construction and having a combustion chamber 2 connectedtherewith by one or more inlets 3 for the products of combustion andprovided with one or more burners 4. The furnace may be provided with abridge or division wall 5 VoverV which the products of combustion passdownwardly to one or more outlet pipes 6 connected with a stack (notshown) The furnace may be of any suitable masonry construction and maybe supported on pillars 7 so as to provide a space therebeneath.

Arranged in the furnace is a retort-comprising a header 8 and lone ormore loops or legs 9. The header may be suspended from the top 10 of achamber thereabove by any suitable suspension devices 11, and the top 12of the furnace chamber proper may have a sealing connection with theheader as well as with the loops or legs. The loops 9 open from thebottom of the header- Sand preferably extend across the bridgeY orpartition wall 5 at the bottom, and each has a leg 13 which risesthrough the wall 12 and is pros videdV with a return bend 14 passingthrough the top of the header and opening some distance above the bottomthereof. This leg 13 is provided with a downward extension 15 into whichthe injection ofthe petroleum takes place.

The header is provided with ardome 16 through which the bend 14 passes,and this header may be provided with baffles 17. A vapor line 18 extendsfrom the top of the dome 16 and has a slight downward inclination at theright, Figure 1.

The header is preferably made from sheet steel with all partsweldedtogether, while the loops` or legs may be made from seamless nickelsteel tubing or other suitable material, in order to be able towithstand the products of combustion. All joints betweenthe loops andthe header should be carefully made by welding or fusing, so as to begas, as well as iluid, tight. The top of the header, as well as itsdome, should be suitably lagged with a heat insulating covering 19, andsuchla covering should also be applied to the pipe 14, as well as tothat part of theleg 13 extending above thewall 12. The `bottom of theheader may be curved, as shown in Figure' l. The top of the header, aswell as the loops .above the wall 12, may be enclosed in a chamber 20,the walls 10 and 21 of which may be of Vinsulating material.

, The retort, including the header and the loops or legs 9, 13, isarranged toY receive a suitable material adapted to remain liquid at asufficiently high temperature to attain the objects of this invention,but without vaporizing. A material particularly suitable for thispurpose is lead, or lead alloy, which'can be readily maintained, in ailudstate, at a temperature of 1000 F. No oxidation of this lead willtake place, as the atmosphere within the` header isY normally areducing, as distinguished from an oxidizing, atmosphere, except whenoxidation of sulphurous compounds is 'to take place, in which event airis passed through the lead, which'need only be for a period sufficientto secure oxidation of the sulphur compounds to sulphur dioxide.Moreover, even if oxidation ofthe lead should take place, the Voxide isreduced to metallic lead upon resuming the injectionl yof the petroleum.Lead, however, has the desirable `property oflabsorbing or reacting withsulphur and sulphur compounds in the petroleum. In order to secure theY.

desired result, the loops or'legsimay be twol inches in diameter and ofa height soy as to contain columns of lead of eight feet.

Arranged-'along the headerl are suitable guides 22 along which isarranged to travel a gatherer onfscraper 23, the bottom of which maybearranged just abovethe level of the. fused materiali.,

This scraper can be mounted on a screw 24,

which in turnismounted in `'bearings 25 at the header is arrangedaswitch actuator 29,\shown,

indetail in Figure 4, which switch actuators are arranged to beengagedby a tappet head on the sleeve 28. The reversing mechanism may be of anystandard or `usual constructiomsuch as shown in Figure 4. It comprises aspringpressedplunger 31 moving a contact 32 to cooperate with a xedcontact 33 in circuit with a solenoid 34, whose plunger 35 controls aswitch 36 inrcircuit with the motor 27 and the line 37. In theparticular construction shown, the motor is of the three-phase type, butthe mechanism is adapted for the reversing of direct current motors.-

The header is provided at its ends with conduits 40 opening above thelevel of the fused material and discharging into drums 4l. Each of thesedrums discharges into another drum 42, and there is a valve 43 betweenthe drums 41 and 42 at each end of the retortstructure. The drums 42discharge into a conveyor 44 provided with a screw 45 driven throughsuitable gearing 46 by any suitable motor, such as an electric motor 47.A valve 48 is arranged between each drum 42 and the conveyor 44.

Normally, the valves 43 are closed vwhile the r tents into the drums 42.The valves 43 are then have a tendency to become solid at the very(bottom thereof, and, accordingly, the seat for the needle valve 52 ispreferably disposed slightly above thebottom of the extension 1,5, asclearly illustrated in Figure 3,l so that under ordinary operatingconditions, the valve seat is substantially-adjacent the bottom of thefused column,

although there may exist below therseat of the needle valve 52 asluggish, if not solid, layer of lead. This needle valve is connectedwith a piston 53 workingsin a cylinder 54 vand normally held raisedtoclose the valve by'a spring 55 engagedby an-abutment 56 tensioned by ascrew 57 4provided with a handle or knob 58. `A drain cock 59 may beprovided forA the cylinder 54. The pipe50 is connected with a petroleumpipe 60, to which isconnecteda suitable gauge 61. An air inlet pipe 62provided with avalveV 63 may be connected withthe pipe 50, and an airoutlet pipe 64 provided with a valve 65 may berconnected with the vaporpipe 18. Petroleum is supplied under pressure yto the pipes 60 and 50 bya suitable pump 66 driven byV a suitable motor, such as an electricmotor 67 provided with a suitable controller 68. The pipes 60 and 18 areprovided with valves 69 and 70.

The cylinder 54 is bolted on the flange 72 of a bracket 71 provided withan inclined passage 73 opening into a trap 74 also bolted to the flange72'. 4Thetrap is provided with a removable coned bottom 75v providedwith a drain' cock 76.-

, The trap connects with the top of the cylinder 54 by a pipe 77. Alljoints are packed and the stem 57 also has a packing 78. The trap 74catches any lead passing the valve 50 when opened, as well as sediment,and both may be removed by removal of the bottom 7,5, and the trap may.be drained by opening the cock 76.

Heat being supplied to the retort, including the header and the loops,so as to maintain the material therein in a fused condition and at asuitable temperature, petroleum is forced into the pipe 50. When thepressure reaches a predetermined value, as may be governed by thecontroller 68, so as to overcome the tension of the spring 55, whosetension may be adjusted by the screw 57, the needle valve will beopened, so as to inject the petroleum into the bottom of the column offused material. As the petroleum passes up this column, not only will itbe vaporized, but also cracked, so as to break up thesame into vaporsand. coke. The vapors and coke pass into the header, where the coke isdeposited'on top of and so as to float on the fused material. As thiscoke is in a finely divided condition and may be carried upwardly, it iscaught by the bailles 17. The vapors, including any water, pass off tothe vapor line 18, while the coke is gathered and delivered totheconveyor 44 as heretofore described. Not only will the'emulsion bebroken up, but any sulphur compounds are absorbed or react with the leadwhile any other impurities float on the top of the column in the headerand are gathered with the coke. `When it is desired to revivify thefused material, the valves 69 and 70 vare closed and the valves 63 and65 are opened, so as to cause air to pass through the lead in order tooxidize the sulphur compounds to sulphur dioxide, rthis air being, ofcourse, supplied to theV pipe 62 under pressure and the sulphur dioxideescaping through the pipe 64. f

The vapor line 18 discharges into a tower 81 comprising a metal casingprovided with baffle trays 82, the connection being near the lower endof the tower, iny order that the vapors may pass upwardly therethrough.From' the tower a vapor line 83 leads to a heat exchanger 84, and fromthere to a condenser 85,'in which the vapors may be wholly orfractionally condensed, depending upon whether it is desired to obtain asynthetic crude or take a number ofrcuts. Such fractional condensers arewell'known in the art, and a detailed descriptionv thereof is,therefore, unneceschanger and the condenser.

sary. In Figure 1,a condensate line 86 leads to a separator 87 providedwith an outlet 88 for fixed gases, the condensate outlet 880 leading tostorage and a water outlet 89 provided with an adjustable terminal 90,whereby the level of the water may be controlled, the water overflowingthrough 90 while the condensate overflows through 880. Suitablereliefvalves 91 and 92 may be provided.

The charging stock or crude is taken from storage by a line 93 to thepump 66, from which a pipe 94 leads directly to the pipes 60 and 50. Apipe 95 leads from the pump to the heatexchanger 84, from whicha pipe 96leads to the top of the tower 81 and terminates in a rose 97,discharging on the baffles in the tower, so that the vapors will pass inContact therewith. The stock passes from the bottom of the tower eitherby a pipe 98 to the pipes 60 and 50 leading to the columns, or by a pipe99 leading to the intake of the pump. Suitable Valves 100 are providedwhereby the flow of the charging stock may be controlled, so as to passin the following manner: Direct to the columns through the pipes 94, 60and 50; through the heat exchanger 84, tower 81 and back to the pump bythe. pipes 95, 9,6 and 99; through the heatY exchanger, tower and directto the columns by the pipes95, 96 and 98.

Water or steam may be supplied to the tower 81 by a pipe 101 providedwith a rose 102, and water may be supplied to the condenser 85 by a pipe103, the outlet pipe being indicated at 104.

'I'he operation of the process may be briefly summarized as follows: Thecharging stock may be passed directly into the columns by being forcedby the pump 66 through the pipes 94, 60 and 50, so as ,to be injectedinto the bottoms of the co1- ums of fused material. through the columns,the petroleum is vaporized and cracked into hydrocarbon vapors, carbonand fixed gas, and where water is present, into steam. The .carbonfloats on top of the fused material and ris continuously carried oil andstored while the vapors issuing through the vapor liner18 are passed tothe tower 81the heat exchanger 84, and the condenser 85 and condensed,finally leaving the apparatus by the pipe 880 and going to storage.Where only a synthetic crude is desired, then no fractioning will takeplace, and the condensate may be discharged directly into the pipe line.Where it is desired to fraction the vapors, then the fractioningcondensers are arranged to secure that result in order to obtain anumber of cuts.

Where the tower 81 is employed partially as a heat exchanger andpartially for reiluxing, and where the heat exchanger 84 is used, thecharging stock will pass successively through the heat exchanger andtower `and then can pass directly to the pump and from there to thecolumns. In this case, the high boiling point vapors, as well as water,can be condensed in the tower, while only the low boiling pointvapors goto the heat ex- Various cuts from the tower 81 may be selected andrefluxed with the raw charging stock for recycling through the system,thereby producing large quantities of low boiling point fractions.

In practice it is found that the carbon is very light'and fluffy,resembling in nature and structure carbon black made from the burning ofnatural gas. In the case of heavy asphaltic crudes found in theArkansas, Kansas, California and Wyoming fields, with a bath temperaturebetween 950 and975 F., the carbon may constitute approximately tenpercent by Weight of the total crude charged, although this will vary inac- In passing upwardly` cordance with the character 'of Vthe crude.This carbon can be used 'industrially for various purposes.

iIt will be particularly noted that the petroleum is conducted tothecolumns externally of these columns and particularly by pipes risingfrom underneath the furnace. Accordingly, the petroleum is not subjectto any action While in the pipe which will cause a deposit of carboneither inside or outside of the petroleum conducting pipe. The petroleumis continuously injected into the bottom of the column and is under suchcontrol that the injection may be at the required rate, in order tosecure the desired vaporization and cracking. The pressure required canbe readily determined from the indication on the gauge 6l vand can becontrolled not only by the automatic valve, but also by the controllingmeans 68 for the pump 66. lf for any reason this pressure should dropbelow that required to counteract the pressure `of the fused material inthe tubes, the valve Will be automatically closed by its spring 55,whose tension can also be controlled. Accordingly, byY

control of the tension of this spring by the controlling device 57, thepressure at which the valve opens can be regulated in accordance withthe pressure required to counteract the pressure of the column of fusedmaterial. It is then only necessary to build up the pressure of thepetroleum. to the point where the valve will be opened. `Y

The temperature and pressures may be varied Vto suit the requirements.Ordinarily temperatures cf between 950 and 10.00 F. are satisfactory,particularly in the case of asphaltic crudes, where the height of thefused material in the column is eight feet, with two inch tubes, thisgiving a pressure of about forty pounds per square inch, against whichpressure the stock is injected into thev bottom of the fused material.Gn account of the inherent adjustments of the system, the feed,temperature, etc., can be adjusted to suit the requirements under theseconditions. y

While several embodiments of this invention have been described, it willbe understood that this invention is susceptible of various embodiments.Furthermore, while the processV and apparatus disclosed are particularlyapplicable for the treatment of heavy asphaltic crudes and crudescontaining sulphur and its compounds, as well as crudes containing Waterand emulsion, it will be understood that certain features of thisinvention are adapted for the treatmentV of petroleum generally. It willfurthermore be understood that certain features, operations andsubcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference toother features, operations and sub-combinations; that is contemplated byand is within the scope of the appended claims. It is furthermoreobvious that various lchanges may be made in details of construction,within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from thespirit of this invention. It is, therefore,'to be understood that thisinvention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and/ordescribed. Y

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for treating petroleum, comprising, a heated retortcontaining a column of fused material, a petroleum conduit external ofand leading to the bottom of said column adapted to inject the petroleuminto material in the column and regulable means for controlling theinjection, said means being responsive to pressure on the .petroleum insaid conduit 'to prevent. injection until the desired pressure isreached.

2. An apparatus for treatingpetroleum,y comprising, a heated retortcontainingl apcolumn of fused material, a petroleum conduit leading tothe bottomV of said column, a valve in said conduit and within saidcolumn, and means for forcing petroleum'from said conduit past saidvalve and into said column.

3. An apparatus-for treating petroleum, comprising, a heated retortcontaining a column of fused material, a petroleum vconduit leading vtothe bottom of said column, a valve in said conduit and normally closed,and means operating by the pressure on the petroleum in said conduit toopen said valve.

4. An apparatus for treating petroleum, com-V prising, a heated retortcontaining a column of fused material, a petroleum conduit leading tothe bottom of said column, a valve in said conduit, and means operatedby ,pressure of petroleum in said conduit adapted to control saidValve.V

5. An apparatus for treating petroleum, comprising, a heated retortcontaining a column of fused material, a loop leading from the bottom ofsaid retort and passing through the top thereof, and means for injectingrpetroleum into the bottom of said loop. g

6; An apparatus for treating petroleum, comprising, -a heated retortcontaining a column of fused material, a valve having a seat at thebottom of the fused column, and means for conductingpetroleum to saidvalve for injection into the column.

` 7. An apparatus for treating petroleum, comprising, a heated retortcontaining a column of fused material, a valve at the bottom of thefused column, means for conducting petroleum to said valve having a seatfor injection into the column, and means for automatically regulatingthe injection of the petroleum.

8. An apparatus for treating petroleum comprising, a retort having aheader and a loop extending above and below the header and adapted tocontain a column of fused material, a heating chamber having part ofsaid retort exposed therein, and means for injecting petroleum into theloop below the header. v

9. An apparatus for treating petroleum comprising, a retort having aheader and a loop extending above and below therheader and adapted tocontain a column of fused material, a heating chamber having a wall ofthe header and lower portion of said loop exposed therein, the upperportion of said loop being insulated from the heating chamber, and meansfor injectingV petroleum into the retort.

l). An apparatus for treating petroleum comprising, aret-ort adapted tocontain a column of fused material, a Valve seat located Within theretort and adjacent the bottomrof the fused column, a valve membercooperating with said seat, and means onthe exterior of said retort foroperating said Valve member;

1l. An apparatus for treating petroleum comprising, a retort adapted tocontain a column of fused material, a valve seat located within theretort and adjacent the bottom of the fused column, a Valve membercooperating with said seat, and pressure responsiveme-ans controllingsaid valve member.

l2. An apparatus for Vtreating petroleum comprising, a Vretort adaptedto contain a column of fused material, a petroleum inlet for saidretort, a needle valve seated adjacent therbottom of the fused columnfor controlling the inlet, and means on the exterior of the retort foroperating the needle Valve. Y

13. An apparatus for treating petroleum comprising, a retort adapted tocontain a column of fused material, a petroleum inlet at the bottom ofthe retort, a valve seat in said'inlet p0- sitioned slightly above' thelower extremity of the material confining space in the retort but in theregion of the bottom of the fused column,

and a valve member cooperating with said seat.

14. An apparatus for treating petroleum comprising, a retort adapted tocontain a column of fused material, a petroleum inlet at the bottom ofthe retort, a Valve for `said inlet having an operating member extendingupwardly into the bottom of the retort, and a seat for said valvesubstantially surrounded by the material Within the retort.

15. An apparatus for treating petroleum comprising, a retort adapted tocontain a column of fused material, a petroleum inlet, a petroleumconduit connected to said inlet, an oxidizing gas conduit connected tosaid petroleum inlet, and pressureA responsive means controlling theinlet.

OLIVER J. NELSON.

CERTIHCATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,993,017. March 5, i335.

OLIVER J. NELSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificatiesof the above numbered patent requiring correcticn as follows: Page 5,second cclumti, line 39, claim '7, strike out the werds "having a seat"and insert the same citer "valve" in line 37, ef said claim; and thatthe said Leters Patent should he read with this correction therein thatthe same may conform te he record ci the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and scaled this 9th day of April, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Cemmissimier of Patents.

